Are We Alive ?: A Value Education Storybook (For the Students of Class XI)

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Consider the following case: 'Rajesh began his formal education at the age of four in a primary school. Over the years he learnt to read and write and study many subjects. Class XII was a turning point when he chose the course of his higher education. After completing the master's degree he pursued his Ph.D. Finally after more than 25 years of hard labour he finished his formal education. Throughout his school and college years, his goal was to score good marks. He took tuition, suffered exam fears, copied in some exams, and had successes and failures. His free time was spent in sport, entertainment and other mundane activities. He now has a good job with a decent salary.'

Is Rajesh's education complete? What is the value of his education?

Drawing attention to some central concerns of education, Mahatma Gandhi writes: "Education is just a means. If it is not accompanied by truthfulness, firmness, patience and other virtues, it remains sterile, and sometimes does harm instead of good. The object of education is not to be able to earn money, but to improve oneself and to serve the country. If this object is not realized, it must be taken that the money spent on education has been wasted."

A complete education develops one's physical, mental and moral strength and awakens spiritual consciousness. It also expands one's life by inspiring a deep concern and spirit of service for fellow beings. But if education is used merely for one's own prosperity, then life contracts and degrades.